Eco-friendly method of manufacturing quantum dots by using natural oil

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing quantum dots including mixing a Group II metal precursor and a natural oil and increasing temperature thereof and adding a Group VI chalcogenide precursor to the mixed solution and increasing temperature thereof. According to the present invention, use of a natural oil, instead of any artificially synthesized surfactant, allows mass production of eco-friendly quantum dots.

1 . A method for manufacturing quantum dots comprising:
 (a) mixing a Group II metal precursor and a natural oil and increasing temperature thereof; and   (b) adding a Group VI chalcogenide precursor to the mixed solution and increasing temperature thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Group II metal precursor is at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium and mercury. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Group VI chalcogenide precursor is at least one selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium, tellurium and polonium. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the natural oil is a vegetable oil. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the vegetable oil is at least one selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, castor oil, rice bran oil, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, almond oil and camellia oil. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the increasing temperature is carried to the range of 150 to 320 for 30 seconds to 48 hours. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in step (a), a fatty acid is further added. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the fatty acid is at least one selected from the Group consisting of oleic acid, stearic acid, lauric acid, and tradecylphosphonic acid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the quantum dots has a size of 3 nm to 20 nm. 
     
     
         10 . A dye-sensitized solar cell with an absorber layer comprising the quantum dots prepared by the method of  claim 1 .